TJD’s undeniable Warriors development deserving of reward originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Although coach Steve Kerr isn’t ready to announce his opening night starting lineup, it’s clear that a man who juggled DNPs and G League assignments at the start of last season will be a jumping center when the Warriors pitch this season.
Trayce Jackson-Davis played 127 minutes during the preseason, more than anyone other than Jonathan Kuminga, and his development is undeniable. It’s something Kerr and his staff took note of and concluded deserved a reward.
TJD’s third straight preseason start came Friday night 132-74 failure of a Los Angeles Lakers team that wisely rested all of its starters on the second night of a preseason back-to-back.
The opposition didn’t matter. Jackson-Davis also started against the Lakers on Tuesday as Golden State prevailed despite both Anthony Davis and LeBron James suiting up. Jackson-Davis joined four-time NBA champions Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and 2021 lottery pick Kuminga as the only Warriors to start at least four preseason games.
This is the kind of hyped company Jackson-Davis, Golden State’s second-round draft pick (57th overall) 16 months ago, keeps. The kind of company he’ll keep as he runs. Literally.
That was the message Kerr delivered to Jackson-Davis at the end of last season and into training camp this season. The notion of Jackson-Davis sprinting, with wings Andrew Wiggins and Kuminga, is considered essential to Golden State’s desired style.
“The biggest thing he told me was to play with strength,” said Jackson-Davis, who finished with 12 points and five assists — but just one rebound — on Friday. “And in preseason, another thing that was huge was working. Running the floor, sprinting getting guys to open shots just by pressing the rim.
“I feel like the last three games, I’ve done a much better job of trying to sprint in and out and ram run.”
Jackson-Davis has run into a few dunks off lob passes, something the Warriors want to see as a matter of routine.
The gravity created by a center running the floor is part of the basketball geometry Kerr hopes to ingrain in his young center’s mind.
“We talk to him all the time,” Kerr said. “When he sprints the floor, you can feel it. I say the same to JK and Wiggs. We need those guys to come out and sprint.
“Trayce, especially the last three games, has done that.”
“When he sprints the floor, you can feel it.”
Steve Kerr shares how Trayce Jackson-Davis has evolved into his sophomore NBA season pic.twitter.com/ntEDHeOtN7
– Warriors at NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 19, 2024
There may be occasions when Kerr studies matchups and decides to open with Kevon Looney or Green. But his reasons for leaning toward Jackson-Davis are many. And two assets only he can offer — a lob threat on offense, rim protection on defense — are just the beginning.
Small by lumbering standards, the Warriors have a mandate to operate on marks and misses and steals. Run while entering the ball. They want their opponents’ tongues on the floor. No one in Golden State’s rotation is taller than Jackson-Davis (6-foot-9). He, like Kuminga and Wiggins, is built for galloping.
“I like that we played fast last game,” Kerr said before going in, hinting 111-97 win over LA on Tuesday. “And that’s what I look for especially from Wiggs, JK and Trayce. When those guys run the floor hard on both ends, we’re a different team.”
The two “bigs” who can fulfill this wish are Jackson-Davis and Green. And Kerr has made it clear for years that Draymond at center is a switch option most effective in limited minutes. Looney excels at rebounding, but straight sprinting just isn’t part of his game.
Then there’s this: Green and Jackson-Davis formed an impressive defensive front in limited minutes last season. Golden State’s best defensive metrics featured them together. Draymond is a longtime elite defender; TJD hopes to achieve that status.
“Last year, we had a solid relationship on the floor together,” Jackson-Davis said. “That’s just something that will continue to grow. He’s already taught me a lot. Can’t wait to learn some more.”
That Curry and Green will start next Wednesday night against the Trail Blazers in Portland is a given. That Kuminga will start is fully expected. And Wiggins moved into position to claim joining Curry in the backcourt.
Jackson-Davis might be the least sure to start. But his 16-month journey makes him the most likely to go out for the opener.
